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Supervisors ask for policy review of cannabis discretionary funds and county support for visitor center, local businesses
Summary
Supervisors asked administration to return with a policy review of how cannabis tax revenues and discretionary funds are allocated, and several supervisors questioned using general-fund dollars for the "One Team, One Dream" prize program and discussed chamber/visitor-center support.
Lake County supervisors on June 25 asked staff to return with a policy discussion of how cannabis tax revenues and other discretionary funding are allocated and raised concerns about a proposed $50,000 grant line for the business program "One Team, One Dream."
The county's cannabis revenue program was described as a 30/30/30/10 funding split in current practice; supervisors said they want a comprehensive policy review to decide whether some economic-development and visitor-center activities should instead be funded from cannabis discretionary revenues rather than the general fund. "I think we need to bring it back, soon and have a discussion on the policy and really look at the levels that are going for discretionary," Supervisor Pysco said.
Several supervisors objected to using general-fund monies to award $50,000 in business prizes through the One Team, One Dream competition; one supervisor suggested the program be privately funded or moved to different funding sources. "I do not think that we should be giving taxpayer money away as prizes," Supervisor Bruno said.
Chamber and visitor center: Supervisors also discussed the struggling Lake County Chamber of Commerce and the historic visitor center operations. Historically the county contributed to the chamber to run the visitor center; supervisors said they would consider a partnership that preserves the visitor center without joining the chamber in an advocacy role.
Why it matters: Cannabis tax revenues and tourism funding are significant local revenue streams; how the board allocates discretionary pots affects business support, visitor services and public transparency. The board asked staff to return with a policy revision and to present recommended changes prior to final budget actions.
Next steps: County administration agreed to return with policy proposals on cannabis fund allocation and a recommended approach to visitor-center support and the One Team, One Dream funding source before the final budget hearing.
